Good morning. We're covering an earthquake's devastation in Myanmar and new information about U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war. Plus: The skateboarders who fly.
The secret history of the war in UkraineAfter Russia's armies crossed into Ukraine in 2022, two Ukrainian generals traveled in secret to a U.S. military garrison in Germany. There, they sealed a partnership that brought America into the war far more intimately than has previously been known. That deal, known only to a small group of officials, became part of what the Biden administration framed as its effort to both rescue Ukraine and protect the post-World War II order in the West. It also enabled Ukrainians to survive three long years of fighting against a far larger, vastly more powerful enemy. Now, as President Trump begins to undo elements of this agreement, here is the untold story of America's hidden role in the military operations against Russia's invading forces. In brief: Read the main takeaways here.
Aftershocks and airstrikes in MyanmarAcross Myanmar, more than 1,600 people were confirmed dead and more than 3,000 were injured in an earthquake that struck on Friday. It was the worst quake there in over a century. Here is a map of the damage and images of the devastation. An aftershock yesterday struck Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, near the epicenter of the initial quake, toppling several buildings. Fear for any survivors in the rubble is rising; this evening brings the 72-hour mark after which experts say the chances of survival drop sharply. Civil war: As Myanmar reeled from the disaster, the ruling military junta continued its brutal bombing campaign. A long-running civil war has ravaged the country, leaving nearly 20 million people in need of shelter and food even before the quake, according to the U.N. But experts say the earthquake could change the war's trajectory. Support: Aid from other countries began arriving, but there were doubts about how Myanmar's army would distribute it. The U.S., the richest nation in the world and once its most generous provider of foreign aid, has sent nothing. Thailand: The earthquake sent a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok crashing to the ground, killing at least 11 people.
A pivotal verdict for Marine Le PenA court will decide today whether Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader, is guilty of embezzlement. A conviction could bar her from running in the 2027 presidential election, potentially causing a political firestorm at a time when the French Fifth Republic appears increasingly dysfunctional. Le Pen, who has tried and failed three times to become president, has steered her anti-immigrant party, now known as the National Rally, away from its antisemitic roots and toward the mainstream. It is now the largest single party in the National Assembly, with 123 seats. She and other party members are accused of embezzling some $4.8 million in E.U. funds, charges she denies.
Eid al-Fitr, the joyful holiday that marks the end of the holy month of fasting for Muslims, was yesterday. Across New York City — as in much of the Muslim world — mothers spent Saturday night making the magic happen. "We don't measure," one said of her preparations. "We just cook." Lives lived: Richard Chamberlain, the actor who came to fame in the TV series "Dr. Kildare" in the early 1960s, then proved his mettle as a serious stage actor and leading man, died on Saturday at 90.
Skateboarding is taking to the sky againBefore 1999, when the skateboarder Tony Hawk landed the 900 — named for the number of degrees of rotation the move needs — the trick had seemed impossible. Soon after Hawk's moment of triumph, the vertical skating (or "vert") that he exemplified faded in popularity. But now it's coming back. Recently, videos of young skaters launching into the air have flooded social media. The revival has shocked some veterans, but it has allowed Hawk to push the form back into the public eye. He has been campaigning for vert skating to be in the 2028 Olympics. A final decision is expected on April 9. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.
Cook: Put this five-star Iranian herby soup on your spring cooking bucket list. Listen: Rosa Feola's solo debut is among our pick of five new classical recordings. Exercise: Is skipping really a good workout? Here's what fitness experts say. Tend: Forget the fancy products: A basic skin-care regimen still reigns supreme. Read: Our critics and editors recommend these eight new books. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. See you tomorrow. — Natasha Reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
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